Young Widows and Widowers of Covid-19

Grief is exhausting. Elsie misses her Papa every single day. Lately there have been many afternoons of tears and questions, it catches up with her at times. #ForgottenGrievers

Since we just hit the 4 year anniversary of his death I wanted to share & make others aware of how society's avoidance impacts those grieving...especially children. We need to do better and be more open about talking about grief as a whole because this cycle truly can’t continue.

I also can't imagine not ever really knowing my dad and that is Graeme's reality. No memories, only stories that I share so he gets to know his Dad. @tonydokoupil @DavidMuir @ethanjsacks @echuckles @emilyakopp @morgfair @liskjenny @NACGnews @widowedPP @JennaBushHager

She should feel safe anywhere to be able to share, but that is not the case not just for Elsie but for so many grieving children. I lost my Dad at 28 and I know how hard it was for me...I can't imagine how hard it is for her. @kdurquiza @chrisjkocher @NicolleDWallace @KatyTurNBC

Elsie’s 6 & her grief is very real, there isn't a day where she doesn't mention her Dad. I notice that Elsie bottles up her grief & saves it for home. Why? Because I’ve made a safe environment for her to grieve, ask questions, & share her feelings about her Dad's death. @Ricekmc

All of this comes down to the fact that we as a society don't want to talk about grief nor do we make it comfortable for those grieving to be more open about it, so that they can share with others. @JuliaRaifman @juliebosman @katiecouric @hodakotb @Tara_Swanigan @lindagaudinoNBC

I see how so many people don't want to talk about grief. How many don't mention Martin or if I do, I see how uncomfortable they are because they don't know how to react or know what to say. @DanRather @PoppyHarlowCNN @drjessigold @SherylNYT @sherylsandberg @vladduthiersCBS

It’s Mental Health Awareness month, grief is an important aspect of mental health that’s not talked about enough, including schools. Being a mom of 2 grieving children isn't always easy. In the past 4 years I’ve become even more aware of how grief avoidant our society is.🧵

Four years and my brave #healthcarehero still hasn’t been acknowledged by @POTUS like other heroes. Hoping one day that will change because my husband truly made the ultimate sacrifice reporting to work each day at the height of the pandemic.

Hotel stay, swimming pool, and seeing Thomas the Train. Elsie and Graeme knew Papa was there in their hearts and watching over them as they had fun ♥️ but they wished he was still here with us instead of heaven.

Four years ago our lives changed forever with one phone call. Every year Elsie, Graeme and I do something special to celebrate Martin’s memory. Something I know he would have loved to experience with them but never got the chance. We took a little trip to Essex, CT.

Again I want to reiterate this point…as more and more people move on from #Covid19. I just want people to remember that there are so many children like Elsie, struggling with the destruction that Covid caused their family. @hodakotb @POTUS @FLOTUS @VP @SavannahGuthrie @Ricekmc

As a mommy of 2 grieving children, I can see their pain, I know when they are having a “Papa moment” I know when they are struggling with something, I know when their grief starts sneaking up on them. Others may not see it, but I do. @SurvivorsChange @Jerri3dz @CTZebra @NACGnews

I am amazed by Elsie’s strength. I am amazed and completely proud of her because she is so young but carries something very heavy and very complex with her each and every day. @SherylNYT @sherylsandberg @NikkiBattiste @JuliaRaifman @juliebosman @chrisjkocher @Surgeon_General

There is not a day that goes by that she doesn’t tell me that she wishes her Papa was still her with us because she loves and misses him so much. She is now at that age where she is trying to understand why Papa died as well as wanting to learn more about the person he was.

I’ve seen my daughter’s grief evolve the last 4 years. I have noticed that as she starts to understand more, her grief and missing her Papa’s presence in her life has only intensified. @PoppyHarlowCNN @NicolleDWallace @DavidMuir @vladduthiersCBS @tonydokoupil @GayleKing

The tricky thing about grief is that you don’t always see it, but it’s always there. Grief is very complex, especially for a young child. 🧵 @liskjenny @echuckles @DanRather @ethanjsacks @lindagaudinoNBC @MarkedByCovid @Tara_Swanigan @kdurquiza @emcharlesworth3 @drjessigold